Chlorophyll-Mimicking Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-Conjugated Polymer Nanocomposites: Nature-Inspired Exciton Funneling Architecture for Ultrahigh Photon-to-Electron Conversion in Organic Solar Cells

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 04 | Page :
    By

    Krupal Pawar,

  • Shekhar Rahane,

  • Neha Shirsath,

  • Rajeshkumar Sambhe,

  • Gokul Mahajan,

  • Vasudha Patil,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Karjule Harya, Dist. Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Nutan Maharashtra Institute of Engineering & Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune, Maharashtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology and Management, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra, India
  4. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Darda Institute of Engineering & Technology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University (SGBAU), Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shatabdi Institute of Engineering and Research, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra, India
  6. Assistant Professor, Department of Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj College of Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Nepti, Dist. Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Green plant photosynthetic machinery is one of the most efficient natural systems for harvesting solar energy and converting it into useable electronic charge. Specifically, chlorophyll molecules in the Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHC-II) achieve nearly unity quantum yield via a well-organized Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) mechanism that enables excitons to migrate towards reaction centers. This study presents a bio-inspired nanocomposite architecture using two-dimensional Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene nanosheets functionalized with chlorophyll-mimicking porphyrin anchoring layers, incorporated with a ternary blend of conjugated polymers: P3HT, PTB7-Th, and a narrow band gap non-fullerene acceptor polymer. MXene nanosheets enhance light absorption by up to 340% at wavelengths 400–750 nm due to plasmonic properties, create fast charge transport pathways, and allow work function adjustment between 4.2 and 5.1 eV. The porphyrin-functionalized surfaces provide a directionally controlled FRET cascade directing energy from high bandgap donor P3HT (1.9 eV) to intermediate bandgap donor PTB7-Th (1.58 eV) to low bandgap acceptor ITIC-4F (1.26 eV), analogous to energy transfer from antennae to reaction center in Photosystem II. Optimized OSCs exhibit a certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.7 ± 0.3%, external quantum efficiency >92%, open circuit voltage of 0.96 V, short circuit current density of 26.4 mA/cm², and fill factor of 78.1%, representing >37% improvement over conventional OSCs. Time-resolved photoluminescence, transient absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory simulations confirm efficient multi-component energy transfer and strong electronic coupling among molecular species.

Keywords: Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene; conjugated polymer; exciton funneling; Förster resonance energy transfer; organic solar cells; chlorophyll-inspired; bulk heterojunction; non-fullerene acceptor; photovoltaics; biomimetic nanomaterials

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How to cite this article:
Krupal Pawar, Shekhar Rahane, Neha Shirsath, Rajeshkumar Sambhe, Gokul Mahajan, Vasudha Patil. Chlorophyll-Mimicking Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-Conjugated Polymer Nanocomposites: Nature-Inspired Exciton Funneling Architecture for Ultrahigh Photon-to-Electron Conversion in Organic Solar Cells. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(04):-.
How to cite this URL:
Krupal Pawar, Shekhar Rahane, Neha Shirsath, Rajeshkumar Sambhe, Gokul Mahajan, Vasudha Patil. Chlorophyll-Mimicking Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-Conjugated Polymer Nanocomposites: Nature-Inspired Exciton Funneling Architecture for Ultrahigh Photon-to-Electron Conversion in Organic Solar Cells. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(04):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=248239


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
04
Received 12/06/2026
Accepted 24/06/2026
Published 30/06/2026
Publication Time 18 Days
17

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